A tragic incident occurred when a young boy, 1½ years old, drowned in a pool at a residence in Arizona on Monday afternoon, according to police reports.
The incident was reported to the Gilbert Police Department around 2:30 p.m. on December 4, following a distress call about a child drowning at a home.
The boy had reportedly left the house through a doggie door, making his way into the backyard where he fell into a pool that was not fenced.
“Upon arrival, life-saving measures were administered at the scene, but despite these efforts, the child was later pronounced dead at the hospital,” stated the police in a news release.
The Gilbert Police Department has indicated that they are still investigating the matter.
Drowning risks for young children The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight that drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, and the second leading cause of unintentional death for children aged 5 to 14, following motor vehicle accidents.
Statistics show that annually, around 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur in the U.S., averaging about 11 per day. Additionally, there are approximately 8,000 nonfatal drowning incidents each year, or about 22 per day.
Other news from Arizona includes the death of a 2-year-old boy from fentanyl ingestion, with his father facing charges in the case.
Guidelines for preventing drowning Gilbert Fire and Rescue advises adhering to the ABCD’s of drowning prevention:
- Adult supervision: Ensure constant, attentive supervision by a sober adult when children are near or in water.
- Barriers: Install barriers such as fences with self-closing, self-latching gates, and secure door locks and alarms to prevent children’s access to pools. Dog doors should be secured to prevent direct access to pools.
- Classes: Enroll children in swimming classes and teach them how to exit a pool. Adults should consider taking CPR and lifesaving courses.
- Devices: Use Coast Guard-approved flotation devices for non-swimmers.
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